By Serena Carpino
Smithtown Central School District Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Aug. 13, to discuss an updated safety plan and other policies for the upcoming school year.
As per New York’s Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act, every public school district across the state must annually submit plans for districtwide school safety and building-level emergency response. Schools are also required to make these plans available for public commentary. The Smithtown school district posted its plan to their website on June 29, with an email address open for questions and comments until July 31.
At the meeting, the board voted on a resolution to approve the districtwide and building-level plans. Both were approved in a 7-0 vote. According to Kevin Simmons, assistant superintendent for instruction & administration, “The only structural changes that occurred from this year versus last year’s plan were some clarifications that were identified regarding language from New York State. With that said, the fundamentals of the plan remain consistent from year to year.”
In addition to the safety plan, the board approved changes to the meal plan policy, including revisions in parental notifications and timelines. A few memorandums of agreement were passed, one of which was between the school district and the Smithtown Security Guards Association in a 7-0 vote.
Additionally, Mark Secaur, superintendent of schools, issued his report. He expressed excitement for the upcoming school year and highlighted the Smithtown Promise, a set of principles for educators to model to students. According to Secaur, incidents of racism and antisemitism during the 2023-24 school year were “sobering reminders of the responsibility [district officials] have to make sure all students are accepted and feel they belong.”
Secaur then explained the details of the promise. “The Smithtown Promise outlines four principles and 16 habits for adults and young people to establish and nurture. We need to model and reinforce the following principles with each of our students: Your dignity is a given; You belong here; You are a difference maker; You were made to excel.”
The promise goes into more detail, with each principle having four habits. Secaur also clarified that it “is not a program or curriculum that needs implementing but will serve as a reference point and tool for motivating our students while setting expectations and desired norms within our school community.” He assured residents that more information about the promise will be provided soon.
Public input
To conclude the meeting, the board opened the floor to public input. One local resident voiced his disappointment with the school board in previous years but expressed hope for a better outcome with new board members.
He explained, “Just two years ago this month, I stood at this very spot and noted that, from my perspective, the board’s activity for the previous year was totally dysfunctional.” However, he hoped “from this point on, with new board members in place and the tasks that lay ahead for our district’s administrators, we will get our district back right on track for the benefit of our students and our community.”
The community member shared a quote from Stephen Sondheim’s musical, “Sunday in the Park with George.” The member concluded by saying, “So let’s all work together so that this year we will create a true work of art for our students.”
The next regular BOE meeting is on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.
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